Mohd Ariffin says he buys coconut milk from Santan M’darat because of the quality, cleanliness and reasonable prices. — Bernama
IPOH: The difficulty in getting coconut milk (santan) for Hari Raya Aidilfitri gave a man with a disability an idea for a food-based business a few years ago.
Mohd Firdaus Ismail, 40, the owner of Santan M’darat, said his idea was supported not only by his family but also by his closest friends.
He said it was difficult to get coconut milk following the Covid-19 movement control order in 2020.
“At that time, I needed more than 40kg to prepare lemang and rendang but I only got about 20kg.
Hard at work: Mohd Firdaus using a machine to squeeze coconut milk when met at Kampung Sungai Rokam in Ipoh.
“It was then that I decided to start this business,” he said when met by Bernama in Kampung Sungai Rokam here.
The father of four said he invested RM30,000 to buy a coconut milk extraction machine, a coconut grater, and other equipment.
“I also bought coconuts in bulk from suppliers in Bagan Datuk and Sungai Siput,” he said.
Mohd Firdaus, who lost his left hand due to an accident in 2006, said he is grateful for his wife Nurul Artikah Mohamad Ali, 39, and their second son Muhammad Hariz Mohd Firdaus, 13, who helped a lot in launching the business.
“My wife and children are my backbone. Every day, both of them will help from the process of squeezing out the coconut milk, grating coconuts and packaging,” he said.
He said demand for coconut milk ahead of Hari Raya this year has doubled compared with normal days.
“On a normal day, I can sell about 50kg to 60kg a day. But when it comes to the middle of Ramadan until the Aidilfitri festival, the amount will increase to about 100kg to 150kg a day,” he added.
He said he sells his coconut milk at RM8 per kg, concentrated coconut milk at RM18 per kg and RM8 per kg for grated coconut.
Muhammad Hariz said he has been helping his parents since he was 11.
“I was never forced to help; I am interested in this venture. My father gave me encouragement and guidance to make sure I knew about all the processes in the production of coconut milk.
“For me, the process of grating coconut is one of the things I like even though it is quite dangerous and can cause injury to the fingers if I am not careful,” said Muhammad Hariz.
The former student of SMK Raja Chulan said he hopes to continue the business his father started.
Meanwhile, a customer, Mohd Ariffin Abd Aziz, 70, said one of the main reasons he chose Santan M’darat was because of the quality, cleanliness and reasonable prices.
He said he uses the coconut milk to prepare lemang and rendang, which he then sells before Hari Raya.
“The coconut milk here is of good quality and as long as I use it, the food is not only tasty but lasts longer,” he said.
